The report throws further light on the state of the UK cycle industry. Bicycle sales in Britain are currently second only to Germany.

3,640,000 bikes were sold in the UK last year, closing the gap on Germany, which saw 4,010,000 bikes sold in the same period. France (3,031,000), Italy (1,771,000) and the Netherlands (1,213,000) took third, fourth and fifth spot in terms of bikes sold.

The figure of 3,640,000 units represents a seven per cent rise from 2009's 3,400,000 bikes and 2008's 3,311,000.

COLIPED is the association of the European Two-wheeler Parts and Accessories Industry, COLIBI represents the European Bicycle Industry. The associations say that their combined membership represents around 75 per cent of European bicycle production (in units) and more than 76 per cent of the European P&A production (in value). Eighty-four per cent of European bicycle sales (in units) are realised in COLIBI-COLIPED member countries.

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